LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

& $3 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 




BY f'lOfi Jk; EW WILLIS, 

If a man's character you wish to find, Author and Lecturer. 

Look in his face, the mirror of the mind. 



CAMERON, AMBERG & CO., PRINTERS AND ENGRAVERS, CHICAGO. 




COPYRIGHTED, 1880. 



ILLUSTRATED 

PHYSIOGNOM 



If a man's character you wish to find, 
Look in his face, the mirror of the mind. 



Nane ever feared that the truth should be heard, 
But those whom the truth wad indite. 

— Burns. 



BY PROFESSOR A. E. WILLIS, 

Practical Physiognomist, Atithor and Lecturer. 





CHARLES F. GUNTHER, 

CHICAGO. 



He is a self-made man, and a fair illustration of an evenly balanced head and tem- 
peraments ; he has good business capacity, is active and energetic ; his lips indicate self- 
control and the ability to control others, and the eyebrows his determination to overcome 
obstacles. 



APPLICATION OF PHRENOLOGY. 



I DO not know of anything connected with man's health, 
talents, character, business, happiness — in fact, everything per- 
taining to his career in life — to which phrenology cannot be 
successfully applied; neither do I know of anything where it is not 
necessary. The man who hires a clerk or employe, for any pur- 
pose, would find it to his advantage to know something about the 
private as well as general character of that individual. And the 
employe would likewise find it to his advantage and convenience 
to know a little more about his employer's traits of character than 
he generally does. The salesman would better understand how to 
deal with customers, and the purchaser how to bargain with the 
seller, did they better understand human nature, and consequently 
each other. 

But there are two ways especially in which I believe phren- 
ology will some day be applied, and I hope that day is not far 
distant. One is that parents will deem it an imperative duty to 
leave to their children a full and detailed phrenological description 
of their heads— a mental picture — so that their offspring may know 
wherein they resemble their ancestors; and, by comparing the 
charts with the life or character of their parents, they will better 
understand their own peculiarities, their excesses and deficiencies, 
and their natural tendencies. What an amount of practical 
knowledge and a blessing this would be to every son and daughter! 
And what would some persons not give to know more about those 
who brought them into the world, but, through death, left them in 
early life, so that they had no opportunity to know them mentally? 
Could there be any greater pleasure and interest growing out of 
family relationship than for people to be able to trace back to their 
grandparents and great-grandparents their temperaments and 
mental characteristics, and thus be able, by comparison, to see 
wherein they resemble them, and what conditions of character 
they have inherited, to a certain extent, from their fathers' ances- 
tors and likewise from their mothers'? This would be a blessing 
hitherto unknown to the human race, and the benefits of which 
none can predict. They could likewise see wherein their ancestors 
had been properly or improperly mated — learn the relation 



4 



which the temperaments sustain to each other in marriage, and 
thus know the best combination favorable to bright, healthy off- 
spring. So, by a comparison of the phrenological organs, they 
could learn why some parents were unhappy in their union. This 
would be a lesson of great practical importance, because to know 
the mistakes of others, is to know how to avoid failures ourselves. 

The second application of phrenology is in the proper selection 
of a conjugal companion. What is the law to be observed in mar- 
riage ? Just this: Marry one whose heart and spiritual nature is in 
harmony with your own, but whose temperament is different. 
Violate this law, and you will certainly bring misery upon youself 
and partner, and entail sickness and early death on your posterity. 

But there is another reason why persons should consult phren- 
ology or a phrenologist in regard to marriage. Modern courtship 
is a farce, a sham, a deception, a lie. The object of courtship 
should be for the two parties to become familiar with and 
thoroughly understand each other's peculiarity of mind and charac- 
ter, ways and habits, so as to enable them to judge whether they 
can love each other constantly, and thus live happily together. 
Do they do this ? Perhaps one couple out of a thousand may; but 
the great majority conceal all objectionable traits of character, and 
reveal only the most pleasing and fascinating. The object of each 
is merely to try and win or capture the other; and very often all 
kinds of devices are resorted to for accomplishing this purpose. 
As marrying is the most important event in one's life, every pre- 
caution should be taken to insure success and guard against being 
mistaken. 



BENEFIT OF PHRENOLOGY. 



The study of phrenology and physiognomy is the most im- 
portant, useful and interesting study in the world. Only those 
who have made it a study, and followed its teachings far enough 
and long enough to be benefited by it, can possibly understand its 
value to mankind, individually and collectively. There is no 
science or pursuit of knowledge the investigation and acquisition 
of which will better develop the intellectual faculties, especially the 
perceptives, which render men practical and impart a matter-of- 
fact, common-sense cast of mind, able to apply itself to almost any 
calling in life. So that, apart from its intrinsic value as a means of 
knowledge, it is particularly beneficial, even essential, to the devel- 
opment of the most important powers of the mind, and necessary 
to the successful accomplishment of every enterprise and transac- 
tion, whether it be of a business, social or religious nature. 

I hold, therefore, that every man, woman and child should have 
a general knowledge of phrenology and physiognomy, and espe- 
cially should ministers and teachers understand it, so that they 
might know better how to deal with human nature, and the more 
easily reach the mind and heart. 

Every person should likewise have a chart of his head. A 
picture of the mind and character is really of greater importance 
and value than a picture of the face. To know wherein we are 
deficient and excessive is an imperative duty devolving upon every 
person who would make the most of himself or herself, and fulfill 
the grand object of life. Our own perceptions and conceptions of 
our personal character, nature and ability, are only partial, and 
therefore imperfect. It requires some standard or rule by which we 
can measure — by which we can determine — the actual and relative 
strength of all our faculties ; not only in their individual and col- 
lective relation to each other, but in their relation to the capacity 
of the same faculties in other minds. When people assert that 
they know all about themselves, or more than any one else can tell 
them, they not only show their ignorance of themselves, but also 
how little they know about a science that, when applied, can reveal 
to them more of the inner man than they ever thought of. 



6 



Why spend half a lifetime trying to find out what calling in life 
you are best adapted for, when phrenology will point out your 
course before you commence ? 

Why train and educate children wrongfully, through ignorance 
of their physiological and mental nature, when a good practical 
phrenologist can tell you more in ten minutes, about their hidden 
traits of character and natural tendencies, than parents will learn 
in ten years ? 

Why plunge into a matrimonial hell, when phrenological advice 
might have put you into a matrimonial heaven ? Why marry 
through ignorance of physiological principles or laws, and have 
your children die before they are twenty or thirty years of age, 
when proper marriage would have given long-lived sons and 
daughters ? Why bring or transmit weak, sickly, passionate, dull, 
half-idiotic specimens of humanity, when parents might just as 
well be the progenitors of strong, healthy, moral, bright and intel- 
lectual children, who will be the joy and pride of their parents, and 
a blessing to the world ? 

I shall be pleased to make examinations and fill out charts for 
any who may desire them. Those who cannot reach me personally 
can have a description by sending two well-defined photographs — 
a front view and a direct side view ; also stating the color of the 
hair and eyes. Prefer to have pictures from negatives not re- 
touched, as the likeness is often changed, so many of the lines of 
the face being worked out in retouching the negative. Any other 
statements the person sending a photograph may wish to mention, 
such as age, height, etc., will be acceptable. 



PRINCIPLES OF PHRENOLOGY. 



PHRENOLOGY reveals character by the form of the head and the 
size of its organs ; and is the parent of physiognomy. 

PHYSIOGNOMY reveals character by the shape and size of the 
features and the expression of the countenance. 

I ask the reader's careful consideration of the following prin- 
ciples : 

1. The brain is the organ of the mind, spirit and soul. 

2. The brain is a plurality of organs; one or more of them can 
be exercised, or brought into action, independent of the others; 
each, however, being in sympathy with the others, and ail sustain- 
ing a mutual relation. 

3. The temperaments form the basis of human character, and 
determine the nature or direction of the organs. 

4. The size of any organ or head indicates its power. 

5. . Any organ can be increased by exercise and decreased by 
non-exercise. 

6. The quality and fineness of the organs and features deter- 
mine the character and ability, activity and brilliancy of the mind. 

7. The perfection of man's entire character — religious, moral, 
intellectual and commercial — depends upon the equality of all the 
organs and temperaments, and their even and proper exercise. 

8. The depth of the convolutions of the brain is the measure 
of the amount of mind — the index of genius. 

9. Whatever organ is most active at the time determines the 
action of the will at that time ; and whatever organ or organs are 
the largest and most active constantly determines the general char- 
acter. 



8 



10. The constant and intense exercise of one or a group of 
faculties, to the entire neglect of all the others, will in time pro- 
duce insanity. 

11. Individual character is partially hereditary, and partially 
developed by education. 

12. The healthy action of the organs of the brain will depend 
upon the healthy action of the organs of the body. 

13. Diversity is a law of nature, and no two persons are, or can 
be, precisely alike in every particular : so, no two persons can, in 
the nature of things, think, feel and act just alike. Hence, grow- 
ing out of this law, phrenology recognizes as the birthright of 
every individual, liberty of person, thought, conscience and will, 
providing such liberty does not injure the person or morality of 
any other being, or conflict with the laws of God. 



DEFINITION 

OF THE 

Phrenological Organs and Temperaments. 



PHRENOLOGY, PHYSIOGNOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. 



No two persons are exactly alike, either in appearance or 
character. This diversity arises from the endless combination of 
the organs of the mind and body. When the intellectual and 
moral organs have the ascendancy over all the other organs of the 
system, or, in other words, where the upper portion of the brain 
is most largely developed, it gives rise to what phrenologists call 
the mental or nervous temperament. When the vital organs of 
the body are the largest and most active, they form the vital 
temperament ; and when the bones and muscles are predominant 
they constitute the motive temperament. Some phrenologists, 
however, divide these temperaments, and make four of them ; 
the vital, they call the sanguine and lymphatic, and the motive or 
bilious, they name osseous and fibrous. There are other conditions 
which depend on the combination of the mental and physical 
organs and heat of the body, which some call emotional, passional 
and caloric temperaments. 

In preparing this chart, I thought it best to use both these 
classifications of the temperaments, as 'it seems to me impossible 
to describe the majority of persons by either of them alone, though 
it is not necessary to use or mark both in describing one person, 
but to simply select those temperaments most suitable to the 
subject. 

It is the combination of the phrenological organs, with the 
temperaments and organic quality, that make up our character and 
talents, and determine our course through life ; and he only can 
be a successful phrenologist who has the ability to discern the 
harmony and proportion that these three conditions bear to each 
other. 



10 



It is the desire of the Examiner that the receiver of this chart 
should carefully study its contents. Analyze your own thoughts, 
feelings, desires and ability with an impartial and unprejudiced 
spirit, compare your ideas with this description, and modify them 
by it, and you will have a correct impression of just what you are, 
or ought to be. 



THE ORGANS AND TEMPERAMENTS. 



Organic Quality. — 

Quality of the organs ; fine grained, organic purity, fineness, 
goodness and sensitiveness ; that kind of angelic nature which 
makes the true man and woman, and lifts them up far above the 
common and gross things of life. Great intensity of feeling, suffer 
and enjoy in the extreme, are much affected by excess of heat or 
cold, especially the latter. Very susceptible to physical and men- 
tal impressions ; naturally inclined to a moral and religious life. 
Not likely to experience any sudden miraculous change of character 
in conversion, but early receive the truth, and gradually form a 
Christian character. Will constantly aspire to something higher 
and nobler. Will ascend, rather than descend, in moral and intel- 
lectual character. 

Health. — 

Present condition of the body and mind. 

Masculine and Feminine Temperaments. — 

The names of these temperaments or conditions suggest their 
meaning. They arise principally from the tenor and quality of the 
mind, and partially from some physiological principle. Like all 
other temperaments, they are inherited and not acquired. A 
woman having the masculine temperament predominant will be 
strong-minded, lacking that fine and delicate structure of the body, 
that gentle, affectionate, confiding, pathetic, and sympathetic state 
of heart and mind so characteristic of the true woman. She will 
be public-spirited, interest herself in politics, law or medicine ; 
aspire to occupations and positions belonging to men ; believe in 
agitating woman's rights, and very often possessed of a mean 
nature ; in fact, her sentiments are neither purely masculine nor 
feminine, but a sort of compound mixture, which the world cannot 
fully understand, much less appreciate. When a man has the 



feminine temperament predominant, he is, plainly speaking, no 
man at all ; he lacks force and energy of character, and is too 
effeminate to accomplish much. He will be refined and genteel, 
and find employment in some office or business that is light or 
tasty. Will be considerable of a lady's man, or, at least, will try to 
be, but such a man rarely, if ever, accomplishes any great work. 

Vital Temperament. — 

This embraces the entire system of internal organs which 
create life force (the heart, lungs, stomach, liver and bowels), and 
renders persons large and fleshy. 

Motive or Bilious Temperament. — 

This temperament indicates the bones and muscles which con- 
stitute the frame-work of the system, gives toughness, muscular 
power, physical endurance, and great strength of character ; 
generally imparts a dark complexion. 

Mental Temperament. — 

Embraces the brain and nerves. Adapted to thought, feeling, 
activity, sensation, predominance of mind over body; makes the 
scholar, poet, artist, etc. 

Sanguine Temperament. — 

Arises from the predominance of the chest and arterial circula- 
tory system ; gives powerful respiration and arterial blood, great 
love of physical action, impulsiveness, ardency, warmth of attach- 
ment, and love of field sports ; imparts an auburn or reddish color 
to the hair, and florid complexion. 

Lymphatic Temperament. — 

Indicates activity of the absorbents and digestive organs, aver- 
sion to motion and labor. Inactive mind and body. Laziness. 

Nervous Temperament. — 

Is similar to the mental. A person, however, may be nervous, 
sensitive to all kinds of impressions, and full of activity, with- 
out manifesting much intellectual power. He may likewise be a 
thinker, and possess considerable brain, without being nervous and 
irritable. 

Muscular and Fibrous Temperament. — 

Indicates large, powerful muscles, physical toughness, tenacity 
of existence, strong and steady pulse, hardness of flesh, and great 
strength of both body and mind. 



12 



Osseous Temperament. — 

Represents the. bony structure of the system ; gives a large 
frame, and renders a person somewhat awkward in movement. 
Muscles give strength, bones great physical endurance, the camel 
being a good illustration of the latter and the lion of the former. 
Also imparts general honesty and solidity of character. 

Emotional. — 

Excitability. It is the hysterical, weeping, laughing, hopeful, 
quick-tempered and scolding disposition. Intensity of feeling ; 
keen susceptibilities, and quick or sharp mentally. 

Passional Temperament.— 

This is partly a combination of other temperaments. It indi- 
cates large and active propensities ; hot-blooded, passionate,, 
voluptuous ; fond of sensual pleasures ; inclined to evil habits and 
a wicked life. 

Caloric Temperament. — 

Warm-blooded ; ability to withstand cold, and throw off disease. 

Activity. — 

Quickness, speed, ease of action, liveliness. A person having 
activity, combined with a mental temperament, will be very quick 
to perceive, think, feel, act and speak. 

Locomotion. — 

Love of action, desire to move about ; restlessness, dislike to 
remain in one position long, and are constantly moving the hands, 
feet or head, even when seated ; excel in walking or running a 
race, providing the heart and lungs a^e good. 

Veneration.— 

Reverence, submission, Christian charity, devotion, worship ;. 
prayerful ; respect for old age, the Deity, and everything that is 
sacred ; love for the souls of men, the missionary spirit. Excessive 
or perverted, it leads to fanaticism, bigotry, idolatry, religious 
intolerance. 

Spirituality. — 

Faith, the ability or disposition to believe a statement without 
positive evidence, the opposite of suspicion ; internal light ; desire 
for wonderful and extravagant news ; belief in the future, perception 
of truth ; forewarning, foreknowledge, the vision and prophetic 
faculty; that which brings man in contact with the spiritual world ; 



13 



imparts the true spirit of prayer. Without faith this would be a 
hard world to live in, because men would have no confidence in 
each other, they would be controlled by suspicion, and suspect 
and surmise all sorts of things about each other without any reason 
for so doing, would treat every stranger as a rogue till they found 
him honest. Perverted : superstitipn, and belief in omens ; with 
large cautiousness and average intellect, fear of ghosts. 

Hope.— 

Expectation, cheerfulness, buoyancy, joy, enterprise, high glee. 
It is the anchor of the soul, and, united with spirituality, makes 
man believe in a future existence, and, with the addition of vita- 
tiveness, long for and desire it. Perverted : builds castles in the 
air, and runs great risks in business. 

Conscientiousness. — 

Justice, honesty, equity, moral principle ; love of truth ; innate 
sense of accountability and obligation, regard for duty ; sense of 
guilt, penitence, contrition, desire to reform ; disposition to do 
what one believes is right and avoid what is wrong ; with appro- 
bativeness and ideality, will have a strong desire for moral purity ; 
with large firmness and combativeness, will stick to the truth, even 
unto death. Perverted : will censure one's self for trifling things, 
and, with deficient acquisitiveness, will lack self-justice, and fail to 
collect what is due. 

Firmness. — 

Tenacity of will, stability, decision, perseverance, resolution, 
fixedness of purpose, aversion to change ; the faculty from which 
springs what metaphysicians call will, which, in connection with 
the intellect, gives the power to choose, select or refuse, and, if 
properly used, enables man to control his passions and regulate 
his entire character ; with veneration, will have a disposition to 
retain old things, such as furniture, relics, buildings, monuments, 
time-honored usages, ceremonies, institutions and forms of govern- 
ment. Perverted : obstinacy, stubbornness, unwillingness to 
change, even when reason requires. 

Approbativeness. — 

Desire to be praised, love of admiration, aversion to criticism, 
sensitiveness, pride of character ; ambition, display, desire to excel ; 
sense of honor ; desire and love to appear to the best advantage ; 
apt to exaggerate in giving a description of anything, and is fre- 
quently the cause of lying ; with ideality, will love dress and 



fashion ; with only average perceptive faculties, will drink in flat- 
tery like water. Perverted : conceit, Vanity, affectation, a craving 
for pleasing comment and praise, excess of fashion, ceremonious- 
ness, outside display, desire to do things on too large a scale, 
especially if hope is large, eagerness for popularity, and, with self- 
esteem, aristocracy and pomposity. 

Self-esteem. — 

Self-respect, dignity, independence, self- appreciation, self- 
reliance, self-satisfaction and complacency ; self-elevating, lofty- 
mindedness, manliness, ruling instinct. Self-esteem enables a man 
to make the most of himself, without it he will pass through the 
world for less than he is worth. Perverted : egotism, haughtiness, 
forwardness, tyranny, superciliousness, imperiousness, contempt 
and selfishness. 

Benevolence. — % 

Kindness, sympathy, generosity, philanthropy, liberality, and, 
with adhesiveness, the accommodating, neighborly spirit ; that 
which makes persons care for the wants and sufferings of others. 
Perverted : places too much confidence in human nature, misplaced 
sympathies ; with small conscientiousness, liable to give away what 
belongs to others. Insanity is frequently caused through an excess 
of this faculty. 

Ideality. — 

Love of the beautiful wherever it exists ; refinement, purity, 
cleanliness, taste, elegance, sense of propriety ; imagination, the 
poetic and artistic faculty. Perverted : too much of the ideal, and 
not enough of real, practical life ; extra nice, fastidiousness. 

Sublimity. — 

Splendor ; love of things that are majestic and romantic ; per- 
ception and appreciation of the vast, illimitable, endless, omnipo- 
tent and infinite ; enjoy mountain scenery, cataracts, conflagrations, 
sea-storms, thunder, lightning, roar of cannon, conflict of armies, 
and everything that is wild, terrific and awful. Perverted : in 
writing or speaking are liable to use exaggerated and high-sound- 
ing words and metaphorical expressions. 

Imitation. — 

Assimilation, conformity, copying, patterning, mimicking, ability 
to assume and act the character of another ; with only average 
causality, will adopt the ideas, sentiments, plans, style and dress of 



15 



others. Perverted : will adopt bad habits, and follow the evil 
example of others ; with perverted approbativeness, are liable to 
assume other person's names and characters, claim relationship to 
or personate those who are superior in rank, wealth and ability. 
Children having this faculty large will do what their parents do, 
whether it be good or evil. We learn to talk through this faculty. 
It helps to form Christian character ; skeptics are generally deficient 
in it. 

Human Nature. — 

Knowledge that comes to one instantaneously without reason- 
ing ; intuitive perception of character and motives ; the ability to 
read, from the countenance, the disposition and moral state at first 
sight ; discernment of motives ; love of whatever pertains to 
human life and nature ; with good perceptive faculties and secret- 
iveness, make good detectives and policemen ; with good intel- 
lect, will not be very easily imposed upon. Perverted : it pro- 
duces suspicion, lack of confidence, personal prejudice ; with large 
perceptives and mirthfulness, offensive criticism of character ; with 
agreeableness, approbativeness and secretiveness, are liable to be 
confidence men, are full of flattery, will palaver and oil their vic- 
tims, like serpents, just before they swallow them. 

Agreeableness. — 

Affability, pleasantness, blandness, persuasiveness, ability to 
please and win others ; fascinating in manners and conversation ; 
with amativeness and adhesiveness, will be very polite and accom- 
modating to persons of the opposite sex, and gain many friends 
among them ; tendency to speak and act in a mellow, persuasive 
manner ; can say disagreeable things pleasantly. Perverted : pre- 
tend to be more agreeable and pleased than they really are, and, 
with approbativeness, are full of blarney and flattery. 

Adhesiveness. — 

Friendship, sociability, companionship, desire to form acquaint- 
ance, love of society ; warm-hearted, affectionate, confiding, and 
devoted to the interest of friends ; with benevolence, will manifest 
hospitality, and readily aid others. Perverted : undue fondness for 
friends and company; apt to idolize; cannot, or will not, see their 
faults and imperfections ; apt to become surety for others. 

Cautiousness.— 

Prudence, carefulness, watchfulness, provision against want and 
danger ; anxiety, security, apprehension, protection, solicitude. 



i6 

Perverted : are afraid to venture or go ahead, easily worried over 
small matters, over-anxiety and fear about accidents, irresolution, 
timidity, procrastination ; with perverted human nature, acquisi- 
tiveness and small hope, will get into a state of mind that produces 
fright and panic ; this will readily explain how financial panics are 
caused. 

Continuity. — 

Consecutiveness and connectedness of thought and feeling ; 
one thing at a time ; patience, prolixity ; not fickle-minded ; the 
ability to concentrate the mind or will upon anything till com- 
pleted. Perverted : are tedious, wearisome, dwell too long upon 
one thing ; become monotonous ; if a public speaker, will exhaust 
the patience of his hearers by long discourses. When this faculty 
is small, and the nervous temperament large, it will make persons 
about as restless and uneasy as a hungry wolf, and when venera- 
tion is small, they are apt, as thousands of disrespectful persons 
do, get up and leave a church or public hall before the meeting 
is over. 

Inhabitiveness. — 

The home feeling, attachment to a place or a house where one 
was born or has lived ; desire to locate, instead of traveling ; love 
of country. Perverted : prejudice against other places and coun- 
tries. 

CONSTRUCTIVENESS. — 

The ability to use tools, make and construct things ; the me- 
chanical and manufacturing talent ; ability to construct sentences ; 
with causality, will be inventive ; with imitation, will work after a 
pattern. Perverted : will waste time and money making useless 
articles. 

AMATIVENESS.— 

Love for the opposite sex, sexuality, passion ; it creates in each 
sex admiration and love for the other ; renders woman charming, 
winning, persuasive, urbane and affectionate ; and makes man 
tender-hearted, noble, gallant, elevated in aspiration, and highly 
susceptible to female charms. It is also the motive and impulsive 
power that urges men along the highway of life. Perverted : it 
becomes a mere animal feeling, and changes love into lust, occa- 
sions grossness, vulgarity, licentiousness, obscenity, prostitution, 
and a feverish state of mind ; changeable in their treatment of the 
opposite sex, sometimes caressing, and sometimes abusing. Ex- 



17 



cessive and unholy love is the cause of most of the sin and misery 
that curse mankind. 

Conjugality.— 

Love for one, union for life, first love, attachment to one con- 
genial partner, fidelity, duality and exclusiveness of love ; desire 
to caress and kiss ; the disposition to concentrate the whole heart 
upon one person, with the desire that they, in return, will do like- 
wise. Persons who have this faculty large, with ideality and the 
organic quality, will find very few congenial companions — should 
be careful not to misplace their affections. Perverted : idolatrous 
love, too much devotion and worship ; jealousy, envy toward love 
rivals ; if disappointed, a broken heart and ruin for life. 

Ardor.— 

Intensity of the affections, ebullition of feeling, voluntariness, 
impulsiveness, eagerness. When very large or perverted, it renders 
a person so passionate for the opposite sex as to lose self-control. 

Parental Love. — 

Attachment to one's own offspring, love of children generally, 
fondness for pet animals, desire for the society of children ; with 
mirthfulness and adhesiveness, will play much with children, amuse 
them, be a friend to them, make friends of them, and win their 
affections ; with benevolence and constructiveness, will not only 
give, but make, many playthings for them ; with combativeness, 
will readily take the part of children, and, with destructiveness 
added, will defend their lives, in times of danger, with unyielding 
energy. Perverted : excessive indulgence, idolize and spoil them ; 
"cannot or will not see their faults, hence fail to correct them ; with 
approbativeness and self-esteem, are full of parental vanity and 
conceit, think their own children much smarter than, and superior 
to, other people's. 

Combativeness. — 

Resistance, defense, opposition, attack, defiance, boldness, 
courage, self-protection ; presence' of mind in times of danger ; the 
ability and desire to encounter and overcome obstacles ; disposition 
to be aggressive ; with adhesiveness, will defend the interest or 
character of friends ; with conscientiousness, will vigorously prose- 
cute the right and oppose the wrong. Perverted : contentious, 
contrary, ill-natured ; the fault-finding and fighting disposition ; 
with disordered nerves, are peevish, fretful, irritable and dissatis- 



i8 



fied ; with destructiveness large and deficient moral faculties, will 
be hateful, bitter, quarrelsome and desperate when provoked. 

Destructiveness.— 

Executiveness, managing talent, force of character, severity, 
extermination ; imparts the desire and force necessary to carry out 
thoughts, plans or intentions ; the go-through, break, crush, tear- 
down spirit ; ability to endure pain, and, with constructiveness, 
perform surgical and dental operations. This is a good faculty 
when used in connection with the moral and intellectual faculties ; 
but when they are deficient, it is one of the worst in man's mental 
organization ; it gives place to wrath, revenge, malice, and a dis- 
position to kill and destroy whatever is offensive ; with approba- 
tiveness and self-esteem, will seek to avenge a personal wrong by 
fighting a duel ; but, with large secretiveness and combativeness, 
will be liable to commit a premeditated and mysterious murder ; if 
combativeness, excitability and the passional temperament accom- 
pany excessive destructiveness, its possessor may dispose of his 
victim about as quickly as he knows how — men of this stamp- 
should never use stimulants of any kind. 

Secretiveness.— 

Policy, management, discretion, reserve, evasion, cunning, 
ability to restrain feeling, concealment ; tactical, shrewd, cautious- 
ness in the expression of words and actions ; with large cautious- 
ness, are hard to be found out ; with large conscientiousness, will 
be honest in purpose, yet resort to many little cunning devices — 
are equivocal, may not tell a direct lie, nor speak the plain truth, 
but evade pointed questions ; with large approbativeness, are liable 
to sail under false colors ; if in business, will take care not to show 
any defects in goods. Perverted : lying, deception, sly, crafty, 
double-dealing, insincerity, hypocrisy ; with perverted amativeness, 
and deficient conscientiousness, will pretend to make love, and 
resort to all sorts of intrigues to win the affections of the opposite 
sex and accomplish their purpose. Love to deceive those the most 
who distrust them, get all they can out of others, but cover up their 
own intentions. May lie to get the truth out of others, and the 
second time they tell a lie are apt to think it is the truth them- 
selves. 

Acquisitiveness.— 

Accumulation of money or property ; frugality, economy, desire 
to own, love of trading and speculating, inclination to save, and 



19 



lay up for future need. Perverted : avaricious, miserly, grasping, 
mean, selfish and stingy ; with large secretiveness and average 
conscientiousness, will make money anyhow — over-praise and sell 
poor articles for good ones ; with small self-esteem and generosity, 
are mean in dealing, "stick for the half-cent ; with large hope and 
not much cautiousness, embark too deep in business, run great 
risks and are liable to fail ; with large secretiveness added, will buy 
more than can be paid for ; pay in promises rather than money. 

MlRTHFULNESS.— 

Wit, fun, experimentiveness, perception of the absurd and 
ridiculous ; disposed to joke and be merry, always laughing and 
making others laugh ; with imitation, are naturally comical ; with 
human nature and comparison added, will make fun by acting and 
showing off the absurdities of others ; with amativeness and event- 
uality, take great delight in joking and relating stories about the 
other sex ; with adhesiveness, language, imitation and agreeable- 
ness, will be excellent company, especially at a party. Perverted : 
it becomes disagreeable, making fun without occasion, at anytime 
or place ; with large combativeness and destructiveness, are sar- 
castic, always teasing and tantalizing, making enemies instead of 
friends ; if benevolence is deficient, will torment dumb animals, 
insects, etc. 

Causality.— 

Reasoning power, investigation, originality, comprehension ; 
ability to trace cause from effect ; must know the why and where- 
fore of everything : the planning, contriving, inventing and schem- 
ing faculty ; love of abstract thought ; ability to synthetize ; with 
large combativeness, love to argue ; with large perceptives, are 
quick to perceive facts, conditions and qualities ; with comparison 
and human nature, are fond of mental philosophy ; with con- 
scientiousness, veneration and benevolence added, will excel in 
moral philosophy ; with only average human nature, large compar- 
ison, eventuality and perceptives, will be more inclined to natural 
philosophy, and will excel in the study of the natural sciences. 
Perverted : leads to excessive study and weariness of mind and 
body. 

Comparison. — 

Reasoning from analogy, induction ; ability to analyze, classify, 
compare and draw inferences ; disposition to criticise, illustrate ; 
observe similarities and dissimilarities at a glance ; with ideality 



20 



large, will use pleasing, figurative illustrations in speaking or writ- 
ing ; with a well-developed intellect, full of general and practical 
information, can speak in allegories and parables ; with large lan- 
guage, can explain things well. Perverted, notice the inconsistency 
and lack of harmony in persons and things too much. 

Eventuality. — 

Memory of names and facts ; recollection of general news, 
occurrences and passing events ; retention of knowledge, ideas, and 
things once known or seen ; love of history and reading, and, with 
human nature large, biography ; with language and imitation, love 
to hear and relate stories ; with ideality, will be fond of fiction, 
thirst for knowledge, learn things easy, and are capable of becom- 
ing good literary scholars. Perverted : excessive reading, and 
crowding of the memory with things that are of no practical use, 
which eventually ruins the memory. 

Locality. — 

Recollection of places, roads and scenery ; ability to find places 
and things ; desire to travel ; intuitive perception of the where- 
abouts of a place ; know where to find an idea or statement in a 
book ; ability to find one's way, either in the city or woods. The 
faculty used in the study of geography and astronomy. 

Individuality. — 

Observation, scrutiny ; desire to know all about things ; cog- 
nizance of individual objects, and perception of the qualities and 
conditions relative to them ; disposition to divide things into their 
primary elements or first principles ; desire to see and examine ; 
curiosity ; can judge of the value of a thing by its appearance. 
This faculty is used in selecting and buying grain, fruit, vegetables, 
dry goods, jewelry, and every kind of merchandise. It is the fac- 
ulty or window through which the mind recognizes the distinctive 
character of external and material objects, and mentally separates 
mixed and general thoughts into definite and distinct ideas. It is 
the medium through which most kinds of knowledge enter the 
mind. It is the organ through which magnetic impressions are 
produced upon the mind. With causality, will learn more by 
observation and experience than in any other way. Perverted : it 
causes persons to stare and pry into things that do not concern 
them ; if in a public meeting, will turn the head to see who comes 
in ; with human nature, approbativeness and form, will notice their 
personal appearance, dress, etc.; and with comparison added, will 
compare their looks and dress with others. 



2 I 



Language.— 

The communication or expression of thoughts and ideas by- 
words, looks and acts; ability to speak and write fluently; with 
comparison added, will use just the words required to convey the 
meaning ; with imitation, will be full of gestures in speaking ; if 
secretiveness is small and the perceptives good, can speak without 
much preparation ; but if secretiveness and cautiousness are large, 
often hesitate — will not be pointed, nor speak to the purpose. 
Perverted : verbosity and excessive talkativeness ; with appro- 
bativeness, will render one's self annoying in company, by trying 
to do all the talking, and interrupt other persons before they are 
through speaking. 

Form.— 

Memory of faces, recollection of shape and things seen; per- 
ception of resemblance ; ability to judge of configuration ; with 
large ideality, will be delighted with beautiful forms, statuary, etc.; 
with large acquisitiveness, individuality and locality, readily detect 
counterfeits ; with adhesiveness, will be inclined to form partner- 
ships and join societies. When very large, causes one to see 
images floating in the air ; and, with color added, will, on pressing 
the eyelids tightly together, see combinations of the most beauti- 
ful colors. 

Size. — 

Ability to judge of the size, length or distance of anything by 
the eye ; cognizance of bulk, magnitude, quantity, proportion ; 
readily detect any disproportion in architecture ; with construct- 
iveness, will have a good eye for mechanical work. Enables a 
-person to determine when things are perpendicular and square. 
With locality, gives perspective knowledge and talent. 

Weight.— 

Perception of the laws of gravity, motion, mechanical force, 
balancing, climbing ; possess great skill in skating, swimming, 
hurling, shooting and riding ; with constructiveness, can operate 
machinery well. When perverted, runs too much risk, by ventur- 
ing too far ; with acquisitiveness and approbativeness, will hazard 
one's life by performing great public feats, such as walking across 
the Niagara on a rope, circus-riding, performing on a trapeze, etc. 

Color. — 

Discernment, recollection, application and love of colors ; ability 
to distinguish and harmonize their various tints and shades ; with 



22 



ideality and human nature, will be fond of fine portrait paintings ; 
but with only average human nature and organic quality but large 
ideality and sublimity, will prefer scenic paintings. Perverted : 
over-nice about arranging and matching colors in dress, etc. 

Order. — 

Method, system, arrangement ; the desire and ability to put 
things, words, ideas and persons in their proper place readily ; ob- 
serve confusion, and cannot endure it ; with locality, must have a 
particular place for everything ; with large time, must have things 
at the right time and season ; with calculation, acquisitiveness and 
causality added, have good business talents. Generals, presidents 
of societies, and leaders of any kind or organization require this 
faculty. 

Calculation. — 

Perception of numbers, ability to reckon figures in the head ; 
mental arithmetic, computation ; with causality and comparison, 
will excel in the higher branches of mathematics ; with large 
causality, perceptives, and deficient spirituality, believe only what 
can be seen, tested and proved beyond a doubt. 

Time.- - 

Cognizance of duration and succession ; recollection of the 
seasons, and the time when things occurred ; memory of dates ; 
ability to keep time in music and dancing; with conscientiousness, 
will be particular to keep promises and fulfill engagements at the 
time appointed. 

Tune,— 

The music faculty; ability to learn and remember tunes by 
rote ; harmony of sound, melody, modulation of the voice ; with 
large time, weight, ideality, amativeness and activity, will enjoy 
lively music and dancing very much ; with constructiveness, imita- 
tion and causality, will be a good performer, and make most kinds 
of instruments ; with large veneration and the organic quality, 
will enjoy sacred music. This faculty is very useful in elocution, 
as it assists one in pronunciation. 

VlTATIVENESS. — 

Tenacity of life, desire to live ; ability to ward off sickness and 
disease ; disposition to guard against personal injury and danger ; 
resistance and dread of death ; with large animal propensities, will 
love life for the sake of worldly enjoyment ; with large moral and 



23 



religious faculties or organs, desire to live for the sake of doing 
good ; with an excess of conscientiousness, cautiousness, spiritu- 
ality, a deficiency of hope and an uncultivated intellect, will have 
an indescribable dread of entering upon a future state of existence; 
and with combativeness and firmness added, will resist death as 
long as strength permits. 

Alimentiveness. — 

Appetite, hunger, relish for food; with large benevolence, will 
set a splendid table; with adhesiveness, will invite friends to dinner 
or tea; with approbativeness and ideality added, will make great 
display at the table, love to attend tea meetings and any social 
gatherings where dinners or suppers are served ; with fair caus- 
ality, constructiveness and perceptives, will make a good cook. 
Perverted : gluttony ; apt to overload the stomach, and bring on 
dyspepsia. 

BlBATIVENESS. — 

Love of water, desire to drink, fondness for liquids; ability to 
drink large quantities at a time; the washing, bathing, swimming 
and sailing faculty; with large weight, will be a good swimmer; 
with individuality, locality and size added, a natural seaman; with 
ideality added, will admire water prospects. 

Practicality. — 

Ability to gather knowledge and apply it to some useful end ; 
the matter-of-fact talent ; are quick to observe and take a hint ; 
comprehend ideas and perceive the quality of things at a glance ; 
will condense and find the shortest way of saying and doing 
things ; will put into practice every theory one advocates ; with 
human nature and the organic quality, can read well the character 
and motives of people. School teachers having this quality can 
apparently teach more than they know ; while those who are de- 
ficient fail to impart the knowledge they possess. As practicality 
arises from the perceptive faculties, it naturally brings man into 
close relationship with everything of a physical nature, hence, if 
the spiritual faculties are deficient, he will be inclined to mate- 
rialism. 

Subterfuge. — 

Ability to shift and evade difficulties, questions and failures ; 
never fear emergencies '; are prolific in ways and means to accom- 
plish certain ends or purposes ; are liable to make mischief ; apt to 



24 



be ironical and sarcastic; have much self-assurance and are in- 
clined to boast. 

Resistance.— 

Disposition to fight against and overcome difficulties; can face 
opposition of any kind ; ability to go up the stream rather than 
down, and stem the tide of opposition and adversity ; " inclined to be 
revengeful, and feel like acting out the motto, "An eye for an eye, 
and a tooth for a tooth"; with a nervous temperament, are easily 
provoked over little things; and, with only average mirthfulness 
and agreeableness, generally cross. 

Business Capacity. — 

The ability to do, manage and carry on business; a natural tact 
for financial transactions ; discernment of business principles, and 
a desire to execute them ; perception of the fitness and adaptation 
of certain things to certain ends ; the desire and talent for money- 
making or the accumulation of property ; worldly enthusiasm, with 
a determination to possess, if possible, what the propensities like 
most, be it property or stock. Perverted : selfishness, and a tend- 
ency to make money dishonestly. 

Religious Nature. — 

That condition of heart and mind which inclines a person to a 
religious life ; obedience to Divine authority ; a disposition to 
readily accept the truths of the Gospel and the teachings of the 
Bible in general ; a willingness to be converted, and early yield to 
the influences of the Holy Spirit ; a submissive, docile, believing 
and confiding spirit — that which brings man into relationship and 
communion with his Maker. A good and honest nature. 



PHYSIOGNOMY DEFINED. 



PHYSIOGNOMY may be defined, first, as the revelation of the 
character or spirit of any living organic being, by and through the 
form, expression and color of the features ; second, as the art and 
science of discerning and understanding the character so revealed 
to the observer. In other words, there are two kinds of physiog- 
nomy: Active and Passive. < 

Everything in the world is stamped with its own peculiar physi- 
ognomy. Man has his ; the beasts of the field have theirs ; birds, 
fishes and reptiles have theirs. But I object to £he idea of apply- 
ing the term physiognomy scientifically to anything that has not a 
medium degree of intelligent or instinctive life. Inanimate things 
may have form and color, but they lack expression, which is the 
distinguishing feature of physiognomy. There must be both form 
and expression. Form reveals the general character, quality or 
condition, and expression, the mind or disposition. 

But, to be more definite, I do not consider the ability which a 
person possesses to read and define the various expressions of the 
human countenance can be properly called physiognomy, any more 
than the reading and understanding of printed matter can be called 
printing. 

Physiognomy is a sign which the Divine Being has written in 
plain characters upon the face of every living being, for the benefit 
of each other. It is the window of the outer man, through which 
the observer becomes acquainted with the nature of the inner man. 
It is^ also the means by which we can determine the nature of 
everything around us ; rocks and stones do not look like blocks of 
wood — we distinguish the one from the other by their appearance. 

The talent or ability which men and women possess to read 
each other, I should prefer to call Intuitive Perception, because it 
is only through this kind of perception that we can successfully 
understand the human countenance. 

We first perceive the appearance of one's features by the aid of 
our perceptive or observing faculties, which are located immediately 
over the nose and eyes. These impressions are transmitted to the 



26 



reflective faculties, which occupy the upper portion of the forehead, 
and through the action of these faculties we conceive the character 
and nature of the individual as indicated in the appearances we 
have just observed ; so that, in reading human nature, the opera- 
tion of the mind is two-fold — first, perceptive, and, second, concep- 
tive ; or, in other words, we first analyze, then synthetize. 

For convenience and general use, however, the term physiog- 
nomy may be applied to designate either the language of the 
features or the ability to read them. 

Its use or practice is confined by men principally to the human 
family, as the reading of animals is generally considered of no par- 
ticular use, except so far as it helps us to discern the character of 
men and women, who, in their disposition and physiological struc- 
ture, resemble some animal, bird, fish or reptile. 

The study of physiognomy in the animal kingdom might, and 
ought to, be pursued with great interest and benefit. Every horse- 
jockey and dealer in cattle ought to study and practice animal 
physiognomy. The spirit, activity and strength of a horse can be 
determined by its facial expression and physical development, just 
as easily as we can discover similar conditions in a human being. 
A mere novice in physiognomy cannot but observe the difference 
between the noble and somewhat intelligent look of a Newfound- 
land dog, and the savage, threatening appearance of the bull-dog. 

I am inclined to think that animals make use of physiognomy 
as much, if not more, than men do. They not only read each 
other, but they minutely observe their master, man. 

Physiognomy and natural history are so closely allied that they 
should be studied together, and I am not sure but geology should 
also be included. Bacon once remarked that physiognomy was a 
science founded on observation, and ought to be studied in connec- 
tion with natural history. Physiognomy enters very largely into 
a number of the sciences. When you study the rocks and surface 
of the earth you are really studying the earth's physiognomy; and 
when the astronomer gazes through his telescope on worlds beyond 
his natural vision, he also is studying the physiognomy of the 
heavenly bodies; in fact, everything in the world around us and 
above us, has its physiognomy — the very house you live in, the large 
variety of flowers, trees, fruits, etc., are distinguished from each 
other like persons by their respective physiognomies, hence, there 
is no end to study of this science; it is as far-reaching and varied 
as the universe itself. Even books have their physiognomies, and 
those that live in the memories of the people and are handed down 



Sound, mature understanding; full of plans and schemes; thoughtful, evasive, and 
shrewd in managing human nature. 



Eye of a thief, robber, liar, polygamist and libertine. Observe the form of the eye 
well. Study and compare it with the shape of those you know are faithful to their mar- 
riage vows and those who are not — those who are true to one, and those who love many. 
Notice how some eyes are round, some flat and long in the angles. Also notice the 
expression of eyes, as it is from that chiefly you must determine whether they are thieves, 
liars and libertines, or not. 



The wanton eye. Inclined to desire and submit to licentious gratification. Lack of 
resistance to obstacles or opposing circumstances. Deficient in force of character and 
controlling influence. Are not repulsive in manner, but easy to approach. Observe the 
distance between the eyelid and eyebrow; also, the flat form of the eye. 



28 



from generation to generation are those books that have the most 
human nature in them. Take the Bible, Bunyan's Pilgrim's Prog-, 
ress and Shakespeare's works, as illustrations, all of them descrip- 
tive of character from the beginning to the end. 

It is very strange that a science so valuable, so easily acquired 
and applied, should be so much overlooked and neglected by the 
great mass of mankind. 

I am aware that every person makes use of physiognomy to a 
certain extent, because they cannot help doing so. It would be im- 
possible for one person to look at another without forming an 
opinion, either favorable or unfavorable ; but to study and pursue 
it in a systematic manner, so as to be sure that their impressions 
are correct, is something very few are in the habit of doing. 

Young people will spend any amount of time over sickly, senti- 
mental novels or love stories that are descriptive of some highly- 
colored romance, where a poor, homely, red-headed fellow manages 
to win the heart and person of the most beautiful woman in the 
world, after passing through the most trying ordeals, and perhaps 
hair-breadth escapes from death — stories that picture life as far 
from reality as black is from white, that ruin the memory, enfeeble 
the intellect, inflame the passions, and draw so heavily upon the 
sympathies that body and mind grow tired — books that when read 
at evening alone, bring sleepless nights, dreams of death, or make 
the heart beat as though it must burst at every sigh of the mind. 
These books excite sympathies for that which has no real existence, 
and unnerve the heart for the true battle of life. They will shed 
easy tears over the harrowing tale of a novel — but never see, in 
real life, the misery that needs sympathy, and cries out to God 
against them because it is withheld. By feeding on such stuff their 
senses are blunted, and they see no real poverty or woe in the 
world, and no heroes or heroines save their own unappreciated 
selves; and instead of laying hold, like true men and women, upon 
the great problems of life, and, by the very force of will, surmount- 
ing the obstacles that lie in their way, they pander to this corrupt 
taste, become feeble minded, and unfit themselves for the stern 
realities of life. Such stories create an insatiate thirst for a ficti- 
tious life, or a longing desire for an indescribable something that a 
depraved taste and morbid imagination may picture, but which can 
never be realized. They will read, study and think about a charac- 
ter that is only a myth, rather than in a practical and scientific 
manner, study the actual characters of the men or women they in- 
tend to make their future husbands or wives. They prefer to leave 



29 



that till the wedding knot is tied and the honey-moon has set, and 
the sad hours of matrimonial darkness have come in upon their 
blighted and mistaken lives. A romance of a different nature 
then dawns upon their vision — heroes of a different kind then enter 
upon the stage, and they play hate instead of love ; and must 
either live in a matrimonial hell, or play the second act, divorce. 
I do not say that this is the result of married life in general — it is 
the exception, not the rule — but it is too often the fate of senti- 
mentalists. 

Some may urge the idea that it is impossible to understand 
human nature with any reasonable degree of accuracy, because it is 
so varied, each person possessing a distinct character and differing 
from every other person, just as they differ in their looks. Every- 
thing in nature is full of variety, and there are many things we do 
not and cannot comprehend. There are many things concerning 
the nature and character of the Divine Being we do not understand; 
but that is no reason why we should not investigate the works of 
nature and study the character of God, so as to understand what is 
revealed, and find out as much as possible. 

There is this fact to be taken into consideration in the study of 
human nature, which will lessen the difficulty very much. Although 
every person has a distinct character, yet there are certain types of 
character, and every person belongs to one or the other, or, at 
least, partakes more of the qualities of one than the other ; so that 
when you understand a certain type, you have the key that will 
unlock the door to the general character of every person belonging 
to that cast or type. In addition to this, there are certain prin- 
ciples which lie at the foundation of human nature, and the exist- 
ence or manifestation of these principles will be perceptible, to a 
greater or less extent, in the formation of individual character. 
One is, that size and quality are a measure of power ; another, that 
no faculty or organ can display its full power until fully developed 
and properly exercised ; another, that coarseness or fineness, or in 
other words, the texture of the human body, is indicative of a like 
condition of the mind ; another, that form or shape, such as long, 
broad, sharp, round, etc., likewise accompanies special conditions 
of character. 

These principles and these manifestations are the same through- 
out the entire human race ; so that, if we once understand them 
and carefully apply them, our deductions and conclusions will be 
correct in every instance. 




Author of the Spencerian system of penmanship. He possesses the rare gift of the 
artist, poet and inventor, for such his productions have proved him to be. Penmen 
require fine and sensitive organizations. The nervous temperament is predominant, and 
the motive next. 



A son of P. R. Spencer, and a resident of Washington, D. C. He differs from his 
father in having a broader head between the ears, which imparts more force and executive 
ability, but less of the poetical and inventive. The vital is predominant in him, with the 
motive and mental next. 



HOW TO READ CHARACTER. 



There are two methods or ways of reading character. One is 
hy impressibility — inductive reasoning ; the other, by comparison, 
aided by the perceptives. Some can read better by the first 
method, and others by the latter, and some by both, which is the 
best and most accurate plan. 

I will first describe what conditions are necessary, and then how 
to apply them, in order to read persons by the first method, which 
I propose to name Impressibility. 

The principal conditions requisite are two — a large amount of 
the organic quality, and very large human nature. To be a suc- 
cessful reader, it is absolutely necessary that you possess the faculty 
-of human nature very large ; and to be a gifted or remarkable 
reader, it is likewise necessary to be endowed with a very sensitive 
nature, which is imparted only by the organic quality. These two 
qualities combined will render a person extremely sensitive, sus- 
ceptible and alive to all kinds of mental and nervous impressions 
and magnetic influences, whether external or internal. 

By mental and nervous impressions, I do not mean ideas pro- 
duced by the action of the mind, nor sensations produced by a dis- 
ordered state of the nervous system ; but rather the nature and 
qualities of the mind, which are more easily impressed upon a per- 
son having a nervous temperament, so that persons thus organized 
not only discern, but actually feel, the mental and physical qualities 
of the subjects before them. 

And here let me say that the ramifications of nerves which ex- 
tend all over the human body, are acknowledged to be a continua- 
tion of the brain ; therefore, if the mind acts upon the brain, it 
must also act upon the nervous system. But the mind cannot act 
upon the brain without a medium or connecting link, because the 
brain is material and the mind or spirit is not. Electricity is of so 
subtle and imponderable a nature that it occupies a place half way 
between mind and matter, partaking, in all probability, somewhat 
of the nature and qualities of both ; therefore it readily becomes 
the medium, in man, through which the mind or soul is brought in 
contact with matter. 



33 



It is also an acknowledged fact that the body is constantly 
throwing off a nervous or magnetic fluid — a kind of human elec- 
tricity, I suppose. How far this extends from the body of a person 
is not known, but it is to such a distance that when two persons 
approach each other their circles of electricity come in contact 
before they meet. This is what I mean by magnetic influence ; so 
that when two persons of a sensitive nature are brought together, 
they immediately form or receive favorable or unfavorable impres- 
sions of each other, and, in many cases, will either like or dislike at 
first sight. Magnetism is defined to be that agent or force in nature 
which possesses the power of attraction ; but, call it by whatever 
name you will, or define it in whatever terms you may, it is nothing 
more or less than electricity. There can be no attraction without 
two objects or two substances exactly the same in nature, but 
directly opposite in their qualities — the one to answer as positive, 
the other as negative. 

Now, there are two kinds of electricity — the one positive and the 
other negative ; or, in other words, the one male, and the other 
female ; and wherever there is positive and negative electricity, 
there will be attraction and unification. Two positives will not 
attract, neither will two negatives ; two men will not attract each 
other, nor will two women. There must be male and female to form 
attraction. 

Wherever there is attraction or repulsion, the easier and quicker 
do we perceive the character of others, and form favorable or un- 
favorable opinions. I believe this is one reason, and probably the 
principal one, why men can read women, and women men, with 
greater ease and certainty than they can their own sex. In fact, 
women have a peculiar gift ; they seem to have an inward monitor 
which enables them to jump at their conclusions of men's charac- 
ters and intentions, especially in times of danger. Providence has 
probably given it to them (they being the weaker vessels) as a safe- 
guard against evil ; though it is a great pity mother Eve did not 
make use of it to unravel the cunning devices of the enemy, Satan. 
And yet, when I reflect on it, I believe that Eve did read Satan to 
a certain extent, but, not knowing evil or its results, she made a 
great mistake — just such as we make nearly every day — that is, she 
didn't stick to her first impressions, which a person should always 
do, providing their ability to read character is well developed. 

Having explained the conditions necessary to read character by 
impressibility, a few words will be sufficient to explain how to do it. 
In the first place, you must place yourself in a negative condition 



34 



to the person you wish to read — that is, allow them to make im- 
pressions upon you by the way they look, act and speak ; and do 
not do or say anything of yourself to interrupt, confuse or prevent 
them from revealing themselves as they naturally would. In the 
next place, be sure that the circumstances are favorable for them to 
make, and you to receive, correct impressions. Neither side should 
be placed at a disadvantage. For instance, if one or the other 
should be sick or out of temper, the impressions made on you may 
be wrong. You must endeavor to meet persons fairly and squarely, 
and look them calmly and directly in the face ; observe every angle 
of the face you can — full face, three-quarter face, side face — at the 
same time studying the different expressions of the face ; and let 
your impressions be formed from your very first interview. In look- 
ing closely at a person, however, never be so bold as to stare them 
out of countenance, because you would not only make them feel 
very uneasy, but render yourself repulsive. 

Having taken general observations, do not be in too great a 
hurry to pronounce your verdict and pass judgment, but wait until 
the interview is over and the individual has left you. Then analyze 
your thoughts and feelings as they flashed across your mind while 
taking observations, and combine them with the impression left 
upon you, and you will form a correct estimate. 

Should you, in time, become better acquainted with the person 
or persons, and different impressions are produced upon you, under 
no circumstances be governed by any other than your first impres- 
sions — providing, as I have previously stated, your talent for read- 
ing character is first-class ; if it is not, you must form your opinion 
gradually and cautiously. 

The reason for adhering to first impressions is obvious. The 
oftener you meet, the more persons gain on your good will and 
friendship; and what at first appears conspicuous, gradually lessens, 
and perhaps disappears. Social intercourse often covers up objec- 
tionable traits ; and, on the other hand, your acquaintance may, 
through some business transaction or family affair, create some un- 
pleasant feeling that would lessen your appreciation, or cause you 
to change your mind in regard to good qualities. But if your talent 
for reading character is poor, then acquaintance may help you to 
arrive at a proper conclusion. 

Do you ask me how you are to know whether you have first- 
class ability to read human nature ? I answer, there are only two 
ways that I know of. The first and best is to get a good phrenolo- 
gist to tell you. The other way is, to form your opinion of a per- 



The dreamy eye. Full of pleasure and 
animal enjoyment; but good-natured and 
thoughtful. 



Submissive, mild, discerning, penetrat- 
ing, and clear perception, but rather 
coquettish. 




|e_The monogamic eye. Wide-awake, 
eager, active, very susceptible to sur- 
rounding impressions. Readily observe. 
Such eyes generally have much feminine 
expression in them. 



Expressive, speaking eye. Large lan- 
guage. When animated, studious, in- 
quiring and watchful; but artful, mean, 
trickish and treacherous. The color is 
quite or almost black. 



36 



son, and then find out if you are correct, by making inquiries, 
watching his conduct and investigating his life and character, in a 
general and constant manner, till you are sure your knowledge is 
correct. Do this with a sufficient number of persons to make it a 
fair test, and if your first impressions harmonize invariably with 
what you learn concerning them, you may conclude you have good 
talent for that purpose ; but if your impressions are different, in 
most cases, from what you afterwards discover to be the real nature, 
you must, of course, conclude your ability to read character is only 
average, or perhaps poor. 

There is yet another reason why good readers of character 
should act upon their first impressions. That is, because the nerv- 
ous fluid, which acts as a telegraphic messenger to the mind, will 
conduct impressions correctly, whereas our judgment or ideas of a 
person maybe wrong. Then these impressions may never act upon 
us the second time in the same way as they do the first ; in fact, 
first sensations are always different from those that follow. 

As I have mentioned on a preceding page, it is quite necessary, 
in reading a person, to study them from a side view of the face, as 
you are then enabled to observe traits of character you may not see 
in a front view. 

If you take two photographs of a person, one full face, the other 
a side view, you will see how different the same individual looks in 
the two pictures ; though it does not follow that the picture that 
portrays him to the worst advantage represents objectionable traits 
of character, any more than the one which shows him to the best 
advantage exhibits the best traits of character. Such may be the 
case or it may not. 

Form is the basis of beauty, and there is always a certain out- 
line of the face which will make the face appear more beautiful than 
any other outline or position — a fact, by the way, which most 
photographers seem to know nothing about ; so that in getting the 
best outline of the face you get the best-looking portrait. But the 
object in studying the different angles of the human face, in the 
reading of character, is not to get the best-looking view, but to 
watch for and obtain the different expressions as they come and go, 
and to observe the flashing, darting, glancing and rapid movement 
of the eye, so that you see the emotions and almost read the very • 
thoughts of an individual while he is in total ignorance of what you 
are trying to do. It is not well that the individual should know 
that you are trying to read him, because that would cause most 
persons to feel somewhat confused, and present unnatural expres- 



Sternness, commanding, ability, au- 
thority, discernment, reflection, resist- 
ance, determination. Observe the pro- 
jecting, overhanging eyebrows. 



Love, modesty, tenderness. Repre- 
sents a character almost perfect as far as 
good, amiable and moral traits are con- 
cerned. 




Quick to perceive, wide-awake; im- 
pressibility; observe rapidly, but do not 
retain impressions loug, or think intently. 
Good eyesight. 



The amorous, sensual, talkative and 
unprincipled eye. Apt to lead a fast life. 
Observe the fullness of the under eyelid. 



38 



sions ; it would also put him on his guard, and so prevent you from 
correctly estimating, by presenting his best appearance. I remem- 
ber a man whose general appearance was that of a plain, unassum- 
ing, honest and sanctimonious kind of individual, but whose hidden 
character did not appear till I observed the expression of his face 
and eye from a side view. It is not sufficient to study or observe 
the face as a whole ; but you must scrutinize every feature, and 
even parts of a feature. If the nose, observe its length, breadth, 
prominence ; whether concave or convex, sharp or blunt, turned up 
or turned down at the point. If the mouth, its size, shape ; whether 
straight or curved, open or compressed, thick lips or thin lips, a 
rosy, healthy color, or pale, scabby, blue-black, dried-up lips ; if it is 
the eye, notice the color, shape, size — whether projecting or sunken, 
brilliant or dull, fierce or mild, whether it looks you steadily in the 
face during conversation, or is restless, glancing in all directions ; 
if the chin, whether prominent or deficient, round or square, pointed 
or indented ; if the eye-brows, whether raised, or retiring from, or 
descending and projecting over the eye — whether they are covered 
with little or much hair, whether light or dark, whether they almost 
meet on the nose or are far apart. 

In observing the outline of the face, notice whether it is round, 
oval, oblong or pyriform. Likewise, notice the color of the hair, 
its quality — whether straight or curly, soft or stiff, scanty or in 
abundance. Study the tone and modulation of the voice in speak- 
ing and singing. Observe the walk, positions in sitting and stand- 
ing, mode of shaking hands, the attitude taken while so doing. 
The manner of laughing, style of dress, whether neat, tasty and 
clean, or slovenly, whether tightly buttoned up or loose and open. 
In fact, study a person from head to foot, in every conceivable 
manner you can think of. 

When a person makes a remark, or acts in a manner not quite 
clear to your mind, ask yourself the question : Why did that per- 
son say and do thus ? And do not rest contented till you have 
found out, if possible ; for in so doing you will gain much knowl- 
edge in regard to the operations of the human mind as forming our 
every-day life and character, and you may likewise discover things 
you were not seeking to find out. 

Study people in their public life, their social life, their private 
life, their domestic life, and in their business transactions; then, 
putting all these together, draw your inference, but never decide on 
the character of a man or woman from any one of these conditions 
in life, or you may form a one-sided and contracted idea of their 



Common, vulgar, lack of refinement, and neither voluptuous nor affectionate. 




Showing the under lip protruding beyond the upper. The fullness of the lower lip 
represents strong social feelings; but its protruding condition signifies a tendency in the 
disposition of such persons to draw others to them to cause them to succumb to their terms, 
desires and requirements; a kind of holding back on their part, keeping in reserve; 
though, at the same time, aggressive in spirit. In enmity an implacable disposition. 




Dissatisfaction; sour; over particular; more nice than wise. Poor lips 
for kissing, and the form scarcely human. 



40 



real character. A man may be much censured and abused in pub- 
lic life, and adored in private ; and thought little of, yea, even 
despised in social circles, but a recognized hero in public life or 
business circles. 

Finally, do not judge of a person so much by his great acts as 
his little acts. Great acts may be performed for show, public ap- 
probation, a name, or some selfish purpose ; but the little acts al- 
ways reveal the true and inner character. People are also cautious, 
wide-awake and guarded in their conspicuous deeds ; but in little 
things they are not, hence they reveal their true nature without 
being aware of it. Especially is this the case with persons of large 
secretiveness ; the more they try to evade and conceal their 
thoughts, motives and intentions, the more they show them to a 
close observer of little things. In fact, it is the act of trying to 
cover up, that exposes the very things they wish to hide. 

SIGNS OF CHARACTER. 

It is not my intention, in this work, to enter into an elaborate 
description of the signs of character. Most books on this subject 
are too extensive and complicated for the public to peruse. My 
aim is to awaken in the mind of the reader sufficient interest to 
study for him or herself, by mentioning, in a brief manner, a few 
unmistakable signs. 

A fine mind is always indicated by a fine organization. As well 
look for the sun to shine at night, as to see elegance, taste, refine- 
ment and delicacy of thought in one whose body is rough, coarse 
and common. The skin of such a person should be pure-looking, 
soft, even and of fine texture. The hair should likewise be very 
fine and soft. Mind molds and rules the body, and not the body 
the mind ; therefore, if the mind is not finely organized, neither is 
the body. By fineness of mind I mean texture or quality. Every 
person knows the difference between fine and coarse cloth. The 
coarse cloth may be the most serviceable for every-day wear, but 
the fine will be the most valuable, and therefore the most prized 
and taken care of, and will be used only on extra occasions. So 
with a fine and coarse mind — the latter may be good and moral, 
and best adapted for the common duties of life, but the former will 
be contented only in the higher, loftier and purer pursuits and walks 
of life. 



Sedate, serious turn of mind; lack of mirthfulness; deficient in character; 
common, mean, with a little vanity; sarcastic. 




Coarseness; common mind; the affections more passive than 
active; given to sensual thoughts. 



4 2 



People who are very bold and forward should not be trusted too 
far; especially if they are anxious to pry into your secrets and pri- 
vate affairs. 

Men of angular, wrinkled, or strongly-marked faces, generally 
have strong and distinguished characters, whereas persons with 
unwrinkled, smooth, baby-looking faces, have feeble minds. 

When men and women get drunk and quarrelsome they show 
and act out their real animal natures — that is, whatever animal, fish, 
bird or reptile a person resembles in his disposition, he will show 
to perfection when intoxicated and enraged. If he has a low, 
vicious, mean or savage nature, he will manifest it ; or if he resem- 
bles an animal or reptile of that nature, he will act like the brute 
he takes after. If a man has a mild, docile and harmless nature, 
like the sheep, deer or dove, for instance, he will never hurt any- 
body or be quarrelsome, whether drunk or angry. 

A clear-thinking mind is evinced by a dark, sallow complexion. 
Such persons are generally calm, cool and collected — are definite, 
precise, systematic and comprehensive in their views and manner 
of saying and doing things. They seldom get confused in their 
ideas, and express themselves clearly and positively. A harmonious 
character, or one that is evenly balanced in the moral, social, intel- 
lectual and executive faculties, is manifested, first, by a general 
fullness and uniform appearance of the head. The skull should 
present an even surface — no bumps, because they indicate that 
there is a deficiency of some other bumps (or more properly speak- 
ing, organs) near by, or else the other organs are too large, and 
there is an excess of some kind. A head that presents the appear- 
ance of hills and valleys will show inconsistencies and contradic- 
tions of character, liable to ups and downs in life. Not only should 
the head be even, but also equally developed and proportionate. It 
would be difficult to describe just what shape the head ought to be. 
A phrenological plaster-of-Paris head, with all the organs marked 
on it, will give you the best idea. The second sign is proportionate 
and beautifully or properly-formed features. If the nose is concave 
or convex, the mouth unpleasant to look at (having a peculiar or 
objectionable expression around the corners), the chin deficient, 
and the eyes fixed, staring or evasive, look out for some odd and 
mean trait of character. 

A mind that loves and appreciates that which is beautiful must 
have beautiful features, which consist in fine, delicate and harmoni- 
ous combinations of form and attractive expression, manifested 
through its appropriate form. Form is the basis or frame-work of 



Ascerbity, moroseness; crusty, stringent, self-important; not easily imposed upon. 
Lack sociability and affection. Have much self-control, and not inclined to dissipation. 
Observe the lips are thin and compressed. Are also stingy and close in business transac- 
tions. 




Stiff, set, precise; considerable self- 
control, but not much affection. Ob- 
serve the thinness of the lower lip, also 
a lack of curvature and fullness in the 
middle, so essential as the sign of an 
affectionate disposition. 



The perfect mouth. Indicative of a 
whole-souled and generous nature. Good 
disposition, strong affection; desire for 
caressing and kissing. The affections 
both active and passive. 



The upper lip projecting over the under lip. Such mouths represent a disposition 
in their owners to impress themselves strongly upon others; are advancing in manner and 
behavior, and have generally considerable conceit, egotism, or vanity. 



44 



beauty ; and two things or conditions are necessary to produce 
human beauty. First, the body, which is form ; second, the soul 
or spirit, which gives expression through the form. These two 
qualities combined constitute what we term beauty. When I speak 
of beauty I mean the highest type. In some persons we see an 
excess of mere physical beauty; in others, an excess, of mental and 
moral beauty ; and in a third class we see the physical and moral 
about equally combined. So there are many kinds and combina- 
tions of beauty, just as there are many kinds and combinations of 
colors. There are likewise many different tastes in regard to beauty. 
What one person admires another does not. So in regard to colors ; 
some like red, some blue, some green, some violet, and so on. As 
a rule, people like colors according to their passions or sentiments, 
and they appreciate and are fascinated by that kind of beauty which 
is a reflex of their own mind or soul. 

It is an old saying that beauty is only skin deep. I do not con- 
sider that true beauty in which the moral and social faculties do 
not lend their molding influence. Snakes have pretty skins, but 
we shudder at the very sight of them. A pretty face, therefore, 
that, on close inspection, reveals deceit, cunning, or any kind of 
wickedness, cannot be called beautiful. Addison has justly said 
that no woman can be handsome by the force of features alone, any 
more than she can be witty only by the help of speech. It is by 
the force of thought, that the expression of virtue or vice is written 
upon the countenance, and the features improved or degraded. 
Beauty of mind and beautiful features are therefore inseparably con- 
nected ; for as a man thinketh so he will appear, and his face will 
be a mirror in which a skilled physiognomist can discern the ruling 
passions of the soul. 

Beautiful eyes, having finely arched and dark eyebrows, are not 
common in men, and they indicate, in the man who is fortunate 
enough to be so divinely blest, a genuine, natural-born artist — one 
who has the soul to appreciate that which is beautiful and lovely. 
In woman they denote a love and desire for pleasure, beauty, and 
the opposite sex, combined, very often, with a good deal of deviltry. 
The characteristics of this eye may likewise be found the same in 
both sexes. Wherever a lovely eye is seen — whether in man, 
woman or beast — there you will find some admirable trait of char- 
acter; and wherever a mean-looking eye is to be seen, rest assured 
there is a mean disposition of some kind behind it. 

A person with large, round, full and projecting eyes, that in 
appearance resemble those of an owl or a cat, has a disposition that 



45 



is either timid, stupid, foolish, double-dealing or two-faced, and 
generally acts as though he were half-frightened, half-scared and 
afraid of you. 

Excessive passion or abuse of the sexual organs shows itself in 
and around the eyes — gives a sort of dull, heavy, striking and 
sometimes fascinating look. 

Laxity of the passions causes the lips to separate, open, and 
imparts to the lower lip a drooping, hanging appearance ; while 
self-control and stringency cause them to close and present a tight, 
compressed appearance. When both conditions are equal — that is, 
the passions strong, but under control, the lips will have a full, 
•curving, but closed and natural appearanee, neither open nor com- 
pressed. 

Pain is objectionable, though not injurious ; pleasure is agreea- 
ble, hence the love of it, like money, knows no bounds, and has a 
tendency to lead one into excess. Therefore, those most fond of 
pleasure are in the greatest danger of being led astray and finally 
ruined. 

There is great necessity of being guarded and cautious in read- 
ing persons from mere appearance, or their assumed, affected and 
dignified mode of conversation and actions. Persons that are reti- 
cent, reserved, evasive and mysterious in their ways of acting and 
general conduct, are subjects of suspicion, and to be mistrusted 
more than those who are just the opposite. 

Although much has been done to enable us to perceive the 
.character and disposition of the mind from external signs in the 
body, there is need of other discoveries. The same faculties mani- 
fest themselves in various ways in different persons. It is the 
education of the faculties, or lack of it, that makes up the diversity 
of their manifestations as much or more than the faculties them- 
selves. Hence the phrenologist, before he can be perfect, must 
discover a method by which he can determine or read in what man- 
ner and under what influence each faculty has been developed. I 
believe that these conditions, and the peculiar disposition of each 
person imparted by the animal propensities (or the organs lying at 
the base and interior of the brain) must be observed from the ex- 
pression of the countenance. 

Sharp, bony knuckles, indicate persons that are fond of physical 
exercise, hence are good walkers and workers ; but fleshy hands, 
that scarcely show any knuckles, belong to lazy persons, and if the 
flesh is soft and flabby, they are simply useless individuals to the 
world — almost too lazy to exist. They prefer to sit down and 



4 6 



take things easy, or ride everywhere they want to go, and are 
perfectly contented in doing nothing, except to eat, drink, sleep 
and lay around the house. 

The more people develop their selfish natures the more they 
cramp their souls and the smaller they become ; on the same 
principle that women cramp their waists by tight lacing, injuring 
their health and spoiling the natural shape of their bodies. Thus 
selfishness injures the character of the soul and mars its facial 
expression, whereas generosity expands the soul and makes it 
beautiful. 

A person of taste and refinement may be known by fine, soft 
and neat hair, while a dirty, slovenly person, will have coarse hair 
and an untidy, slouchy appearance to the whole head. The fine 
hair of the rabbit, in contrast to that of the hog, will serve as an 
illustration. 

Goethe says nothing is more significant of man's character than 
what he finds laughable, and I may add, than the kind of laugh. 
Rowdies may be known by their laugh on the street as far as they 
can be heard. Wise men and fools do not laugh alike, nor do 
rough, ignorant people, laugh the same as the refined and intelli- 
gent. There is the suppressed, secretive laugh, in contrast to the 
loud and open. The giggling laugh, and the hearty, whole-souled 
laugh, are easily distinguished and recognized by observation and 
attention. There are few things more depressing to the mind and 
injurious to the body than grief, fretting and turning one's self 
into a sort of living sepulchre ; or more healthful than hearty, whole- 
souled laughter and a cheerful, contented mind. 

Sagacity is indicated by a short, round neck, which seems set in 
the shoulders, as Dr. Simms, the physiognomist, justly observes. 
Napoleon Bonaparte and D. L. Moody, the evangelist, are good 
illustrations. 

All savage and destructive animals have heads formed on the 
broad and flat, or round principle, such as lions, tigers, leopards and 
rattlesnakes. All timid, docile and inoffensive animals have nar- 
row heads between the ears, and are generally long-faced, like the 
horse, deer, hare and rabbit. So men, as a rule, with wide heads 
from ear to ear, have more force, management and executive ability 
than men with thin heads. If the head is very broad and deficient 
in moral and intellectual faculties, then the possessor of such a 
head may, on provocation, become rough and brutal in his treat- 
ment of animals or other persons. But when a wide head is well- 
balanced with the intellectual and moral organs, you have talent, 



ALLEN PINKERTON, 



The great and perhaps foremost detective in the United States; 
also author of " The Expressman and the Detective." 



He has a large amount of vitality, good perceptives, and very large secretiveness. He 
can smell a thief a mile off, and knows how and where to look for him. The width of the 
head indicates large executive ability, which, together with a strong constitution, gives 
him energy, and enables him to prosecute, follow up and accomplish whatever he under- 
takes. 



4 8 



worth and power combined. A person with such a head will try 
and develop, put into execution or carry out any new or general 
idea he may have — in other words, thoughts become actions. 
Hence, force, energy, policy, push, management and business ability 
or tact is generally found in such heads, though a man may have 
large energy, will power, enterprise, ambition and business ability 
where the head is long and of only average width, as also a man 
with a wide head may be so constituted as to lack executive ability ; 
the reader must take observations in order to discriminate for 
himself. 

Whenever a man aspires and claims to know or do something, 
or advocates any new truths or doctrines that are not fashionable 
or popular to the public mind, their prejudice will at once be 
aroused and they will denounce him as a quack or humbug. On 
the same principle, when an individual assumes to know more on a 
given subject, and attempts or offers to give instruction to a con- 
ceited person, he will turn up his nose, despise and reject not only 
the information, however valuable it may be, but also the indi- 
vidual, and most likely, if in his power, hold the person up to 
ridicule and scorn, or when the opportunity is afforded, make all 
sorts of fun out of the subject and person. Such is generally the 
course of action pursued by people (of whom there are not a few) 
who are altogether too wise in their own conceit. 

EXPRESSION. 

It is the exercise of the faculties that gives expression to the 
face ; and as no two persons have exactly a corresponding combina- 
tion of faculties and temperaments, so there are no two persons 
possessing the same look, appearance or likeness. Each faculty 
stamps its own peculiar language upon the countenance. A dor- 
mant faculty makes little or no impression upon the face. It leaves 
a vacancy; the language of that faculty is not there. Active benev- 
olence gives a beaming, urbane look; agreeableness imparts a 
winning, pleasing look ; amativeness, a fascinating look, but if per- 
verted, a lascivious, tempting and wicked look ; resistance and firm- 
ness, a set, stern look ; language, an expressive appearance around 
the eye; ideality, a beautiful look; self-esteem, a dignified look; 
causality, a thoughtful look; and so on. The larger and more 
active the faculty, the more marked will be its character upon the 
face. But it is the combination of all the faculties that gives the 



49 



identical, definite look to each individual. Hence, the secret of 
reading a person by the face is in the ability to discern, by mere 
expression, what faculties or qualities of mind are pictured on the 
countenance, and to discover whether they are used in a proper 
direction or in a perverted manner. We are attracted or repelled 
according to the language of the faculties we most admire ; and I 
suppose we like to see in others the same qualities of mind we 
possess ourselves. Is not this the theory and secret of love ? 

Perfection of character depends on the perfection and harmo- 
nious development of all the organs of the mind and body. They 
must all be of equal size and strength. The temperaments and the 
organic quality must also be equally combined. 

The greater any given organ or faculty, the greater will be its 
power, its capacity of enjoyment, and the more will it require to 
receive satisfaction. 

It is the organic quality that gives tone, grade and value to one's 
character, talents, feelings and thoughts. If that condition is large, 
the whole nature, physical and mental, is of a high type and 
standard ; but if deficient, then it is altogether low and common, 
and the mind is more of an animal and earthly nature, no matter 
what may be the size of the organs. The faculty of conscientious- 
ness cannot be relied upon, as it may lead to the selfish propensities 
and animal desires. Mirthfulness, with such an organization, would 
manifest itself in foolish jesting, and, if destructiveness was also 
prominent, would delight in tormenting other persons or dumb 
animals, just for fun ; but in a higher nature, mirthfulness would be 
intelligent wit. Amativeness and conjugality, with a high and 
finely-developed organism, would be pure, true, exalted and spirit- 
ual love ; but with the opposite condition, would be common, 
tending to a mere animal feeling, even if moral— and if not moral, 
would be low, base and degrading in their influence ; and so with 
all the faculties of the human mind. In observing character, there- 
fore, the organic quality is the first thing to be observed, as that is 
the foundation upon which the whole man is built, and the key that 
unlocks the entire character. 

The lines and expression around the mouth betray and reveal 
the state of the heart, as to whether it is good-natured, mean, sar- 
castic, sensual, refined, peaceful, happy, disappointed, sour, etc. 

The finer the features, the smoother and more delicate the hair, 
the more so will be the condition of the mind and feelings. A rough 
face, a rough mind or character. One thing- necessary in reading 
character is the ability to discern the size and relative proportions 



5o 

of all the faculties, and to tell the kind of feeling and talent differ- 
ent combinations of faculties will produce — just the same as an 
artist can tell what color a combination of other colors will pro- 
duce, or the chemist what will be the effect of a mixture of different 
chemicals, or of the same colors and chemicals in different propor- 
tions. 

In the mental process of reading a person, we first perceive the 
expression, and from that conceive the character. Perception 
arises from the action of the perceptive faculties, located immedi- 
ately over the eyes and nose ; conception, from the reflective facul- 
ties, located in the upper part of the forehead. In the central part 
of the forehead are located most of the literary faculties. 

It is the largest and most predominating trait of character that 
gives to the eyes their peculiar look — that expressive cast, that 
which we most notice and are influenced by; hence, the expression 
of the eyes changes as fast as our thoughts change and the differ- 
ent faculties are brought into action. The eyes, therefore, become 
a mirror in which are pictured, as they come and go, all the thoughts, 
feelings, emotions and passions of the soul. How easy it is to see 
the presence of anger, joy, sadness ! So, in like manner, if we study 
until we become familiar with the different kinds of expression, we 
can observe the language of every change and condition of the mind. 

What a magnetic or fascinating appearance is imparted to the 
eye when lit up by active amativeness, agreeableness and approba- 
tiveness! Secretiveness and mirthfulness are likewise conspicu- 
ously manifested in the eye. 

Whatever persons notice most in others clearly indicates the 
ruling trait of character in themselves. If they notice dress in 
preference to anything else, then dress is their chief desire. If 
words and actions are criticised, then it is character and quality of 
mind that is predominant in the observer. Artists notice features, 
expressions and beauty ; fashionable and amative persons notice 
the style and physique of individuals, and so on ; each one trying 
to find in others what is a reflex of their own mind. 

The face, as a whole, with its accompanying expression, reveals 
one's nature and animal propensities. It likewise shows whether 
the faculties are active or passive, while the head shows their size 
and proportion to each other. Every feature of the face has its 
appropriate manifestation. The forehead portrays the amount of 
intellect. The chin tells us how much virility, ardor, intensity and 
the kind of affectionate desire one possesses. The mouth shows 
how much affection one has — whether friendly, sociable, warm- 



The peculiarity of this nose is tha it all seems to be crowded down to the point. It 
projects far out from the lip, but does not turn up or down. It is an uncommon nose; 
and after considerable study, I noticed and concluded that it belonged only to persons 
having a clear, natural insight into business affairs, being able to see what will pay, and 
to make it a success, imparting what I propose to call business scent, for such a man can 
smell business as easily as a dog can smell and trace his master, 



v- 




Pert; quick to feel, think and act. Easily offended over trivial things, but will not 
retaliate if left alone. Not much force of character. « 



52 



hearted or the reverse. The nose represents the selfish traits and 
propensities — those qualities of mind that make men bold, fearless, 
aggressive, far-seeing, defensive, determined and accumulative. 
But the eyes — those two magnetic stars — what do they mean ? 
That is a question, reader, easier asked than answered. There seems 
to be a mystery about the eyes which has never yet been explained. 
What a depth of meaning, what a mine, what a store-house, in 
which seem to be deposited things good and bad ! How anxiously 
we look into them and try to discover what is behind ! If we 
could only read the thoughts they convey ! And what a mental 
effort we sometimes make to do so ! But, after all, we have to give 
it up ; they are too much like a policeman's lantern— the longer we 
look, the more blinded and confused we become. To see through 
a thing and discover what is behind, is not -so easy as to get behind 
and see what is ahead. 

Two things, however, are evident : First, all eyes are not alike ; 
second, they do not affect us in the same manner nor exercise the 
same power over us, neither do any two individuals. I therefore 
conclude that the eyes reveal (or are an index of) the kind, quality 
and nature of the mind, spirit and soul. These three words are 
sometimes used to express one and the same thing, yet each word 
has its peculiar, specific meaning. 

Mind is used to designate the intellect, understanding — the 
mental process of thinking, willing and choosing; also, inclination, 
desire, intent, purpose. Mind may likewise be termed the opera- 
tion of the spirit upon the faculties, bringing them into activity. 

The word spirit means life, ardor, vivacity; great activity or 
peculiar characteristics of mind and temper; disposition of mind, 
intellectual or moral state, cheerfulness, enterprise. It may also be 
used to indicate the highest principle in man. 

By soul, we mean any noble manifestation of the heart or moral 
nature ; the seat of life and action ; the rational and emotional part 
of man's nature. Of course, these definitions are intended to rep- 
resent the spirit as connected with the body. 

From the above definitions, I presume it will be clear to the 
reader what is meant by the mind, spirit, soul, or whatever you 
choose to name that part of man manifested in the eye. And here 
let me say that the quality or nature of the soul, as to whether it is 
pure and exalted, or gross and low, can be determined by the 
organic quality. 

The eyes, therefore, express every emotion of the soul, the 
quality of the soul and its present moral condition. They seem to 



53 



be the window through which every faculty peeps out. Eyes differ 
in color, form, size and rapidity of motion. 

Black eyes are deep as the ocean, artful, crafty, treacherous — a 
smouldering fire that may burst into a full blaze at a moment's 
notice. They are generally retiring aud reserved, and sometimes 
full of deviltry. The ways of a wicked person with black eyes are 
past finding out. So much for the bad qualities. The good quali- 
ties belonging to black or dark eyes are frankness, a confiding dis- 
position, affection, plain-speaking, truthfulness and a good degree 
of power, determination and force of character. Many black eyes 
are beautiful, magnetic in their effect, and indicative of a true, noble 
character. But, reader, never trifle with such, nor play any mean 
tricks with them, or they may take fearful revenge ; you can go 
just so far, but no farther; and once aroused, they give no quarter 
and know no such thing as mercy. 1 remember a small, handsome- 
looking woman, with large, black eyes, who put on considerable 
style, and presented the appearance of a delicate, lady-like woman. 
Those black full moons of hers had captivated four or five young 
men, to whom she had promised her hand in marriage. One of 
them didn't exactly like that kind of fun, and so followed her up, 
causing her to apprehend danger. While talking with her upon 
the subject, she declared if he came near her she would shoot him. 
I replied she certainly wouldn't have the courage to shoot a man, 
when she coolly walked over to her bureau and took out a pistol, 
remarking, in an emphatic manner, " Wouldn't I?" I concluded 
she would. Another black-eyed woman told me that if she ever 
found out her husband was not true to her, she would certainly 
shoot him. 

Small, flat, light eyes are cunning, evasive, sly, manceuvering, 
deceitful; apt to lie, cheat, and with acquisitiveness, steal. Their 
deceitfulness is different from that of black eyes. Light eyes resort 
to a good deal of device, contrivance and stratagem. They are full 
of tactics, policy and management, and can keep things to them- 
selves, with little or no desire to impart them to others, unless it is 
something that weighs terribly upon the mind. Black eyes are not 
good at keeping secrets. They may, through conscientiousness or 
friendship, keep things committed to them as a secret trust ; but 
should enmity ever arise, they may betray you. 

Light eyes would not speak a thing right out, but work to your 
disadvantage in an underhand way — at the same time pretending 
probably to be your friend, and make themselves quite agreeable*; 
but the black eye would come right out, declare war and open fire 



54 



Light-eyed enemies are snakes in the grass ; black-eyed ones will 
show their enmity, and fight in the open field, though they may 
have a very treacherous way of doing it — something like the Indian, 
for instance. The fact that Indians fight behind trees as much as 
possible, or some other defensive place, is because that is their mode 
of life and warfare, and their only means of protection against a 
trained and armed military company. What I wish to impress 
upon the reader is, that they do not conceal their feelings, and pre- 
tend to be friendly when they are not. Light eyes conceal their 
character, their feelings, emotions, intentions and purposes, and, 
though they may hate and despise a person, will seldom manifest 
it unless in some manner compelled to do so. There are, however, 
many amiable, devoted women among this class, as well as men. 
having strong, silent love, with tenderness and sympathy. The 
conditions peculiar to both kinds of eyes are all right if governed 
by the intellect and moral faculties; but, when perverted, then look 
out for their evil manifestations, as already described. 

The more round the eye, the easier will it receive impressions, 
observe and gather ideas; and the sooner, also, will such impres- 
sions be lost or forgotten. The narrower the eye, the slower will 
it be in gathering facts, receiving ideas, or coming to a conclusion ; 
but its possessor will retain knowledge much longer after it is 
acquired, and such persons are slower but more deliberate in judg- 
ment. Small, especially in children, are dull and slow to learn ; 
while large are quick to perceive, full of life and vivacity. The 
brighter the eye, the more will the individual resemble his or her 
mother. Eyes that are slow to move, are slow in thought and act ; 
while eyes that move rapidly belong to minds that are wide-awake 
and quick as lightning. 

The hair indicates fineness or coarseness of feeling, tone and 
strength of character, and the constitution, also the temperaments. 
Auburn hair denotes quick susceptibilities. Black hair is accom- 
panied with the bilious temperament, which gives power, strength 
and endurance. Light hair means delicacy, fineness and lighter 
tone of character — almost the opposite of black hair. Red hair 
belongs to the sanguine temperament, gives intense feelings, 
fiery, ardent, hot-blooded and passionate. If curly, emotional, 
and impulsive. Straight hair denotes mildness or tameness of 
nature. 

Red-haired persons should pursue out-door employment, as they 
need all the pure air they can get. Fine, light-haired persons can 
pursue any light or in-door business, and are not adapted for heavy 




A welPformed nose, indicating strength and development of character; long-headed. 
Observe the sign of originality, as seen in the drooping septum. It renders a person 
rather odd, and unlike any one else in their way of saying and doing things. Are partic- 
ularly interested in anything new — new theories, plans, sciences, etc. Quite reformatory 
in character. 




The Jewish nose; commercial, trading, speculating; love of money, property, etc. 
Slow to act, suspicious and reserved. Observe the width of the lower part of the nose, 
where it joins the nostril. 



56 



work. Dark-haired persons can endure a considerable amount of 
labor of almost any kind. The coarser the hair, the more so the 
individual in thought, feeling and manner, and vice versa. 

Men of properly developed and prominent character are so 
marked in their appearance, that, once seen, they can be easily 
recognized anywhere ; whereas common-place persons are more 
difficult to distinguish and remember. 

He who does not vary the intonation of the voice in speaking 
lacks self-control. 

Men cannot think and act rightly on any subject, or have clear 
and proper ideas, unless all their faculties are brought into active 
and equal use. 

It is the mental, passional and emotional temperaments com- 
bined, that give energy, go-aheadativeness, impulsiveness and in- 
tensity of feeling and action. They cause a person to throw the 
whole soul into whatever is to be done, especially in speaking, 
acting or writing. 

A person with a healthy and equally-balanced condition of 
faculties and organs attracts (or causes people, things and circum- 
stances to succumb or place themselves under his influence or at 
his command) without any special effort of his ; while an individual 
having an organization which is the reverse, could not, with special 
effort, secure the same results and power. 

When the lips have a pure, fresh, cherry-red appearance, the 
blood is in the same condition, and the health good ; but if they 
look dry, scabby, blue and sickly, the blood is in a very bad state. 

Lips that are full and red, having a cushioned appearance,, 
indicate a great amount of affection, fondness for caressing and 
kissing. 

Lips that are thin and compressed are wanting in affection, and 
indicate their possessor to be cold-hearted, deficient in sociability^ 
and stringent, but having much self-control. 

Lips that are naturally open may mean laxity of the passions,, 
or a desire to be praised, or both. 

Be on your guard with the individual whose mouth has a disgust- 
ing appearance, a sarcastic expression, objectionable lines around 
it, or one corner drawn up in more than the other, unless by injury. 

A very large mouth denotes animalism, coarseness or vulgarity; 
a straight mouth, a common or undeveloped character — nothing of 
the beautiful or artistic. Large mouths; however, are essential to 
good speakers, giving flexibility, so that they can express them- 
selves easily, 



57 



A prominent, pointed chin, signifies ardor, impulsiveness in 
regard to the affections. A deficient chin denotes a lack of virility. 

A broad, full chin, means strong, enduring, unchangeable affec- 
tion ; while a narrow, pointed chin, has much intensity, but less 
power and consistency. 

Many persons think the nose of very little importance in read- 
ing character, but it is just the opposite. It represents masculine 
and feminine qualities more than any other feature — shows how 
much power and force of mind one has, and how much of the com- 
mercial, aggressive and martial spirit — shows whether one is long- 
headed enough to see into a mill-stone, or no farther than the point 
of his nose ; it shows whether the character is weak or strong, 
whether the disposition is of a turn-up or turn-down nature. If the 
nose is concave and turned up a little at the point, whenever such 
persons become offended (and such individuals take offense easily), 
they will manifest a sort of turn-up, go-off, get-away, leave-you- 
alone, sort of spirit, and act as if they were afraid to have anything 
more to say or do with the offender. Certain animals will act in a 
similar way. Take pussy, for instance. Do something she does 
not like, and she goes off to another part of the room, and looks at 
you in a half-frightened, suspicious manner, as much as to say, You 
contemptible thing, what do you mean ? and why did you do that ?' 
For the turned-up nose has likewise an inquisitive disposition ; but 
pussy never seeks revenge by making any attack upon you at any 
future time, nor has she just the kind of nose I have been describ- 
ing ; nor do human beings with this kind of nose seek retaliation or 
revenge in the future — they are generally contented to leave one 
severely alone. But the convex nose, turning down at the point,, 
in eagle fashion, is just the opposite. Do them an injury, or an 
imaginary evil, and they will wait for an opportunity to pounce upon 
you like an eagle upon its prey — not physically, perhaps ; but in 
some manner they will take the advantage of you, it may be in a 
business transaction, or in the way of an injury to your character. 
The story of the tailor and the elephant somewhat illustrates this 
shade of character. A tailor was in the habit of tormenting an 
elephant by pricking him with his needle. The elephant did not 
resent it at the time, but went away to a pool of the dirtiest water 
he could find, and sucking up all he could carry in his proboscis,, 
returned to the tailor, and gave him the benefit of a good ducking. 
While examining a person having a nose of this description, I re- 
marked that, if a person took the advantage of him or did him an 
injury, he would try to get even with him sometime, if it was years 



53 



afterwards. The subject replied that he would, if it was a hundred 
years afterwards. Such persons never forget an injury. 

The convex nose also indicates combativeness — the opposing, 
resisting, fighting and energetie spirit. 

When the central part of the nose, where it joins the face, is 
wide, it indicates a commercial spirit, love of money "or property, 
and desire to accumulate. When narrow, it means deficiency in 
that respect. 

Where the nostrils are wide open it is a sign of good breathing 
power ; when narrow, a deficiency. 

The manner of walking corresponds and harmonizes with the 
habits and disposition. A slouch and a sloven hang out their signs 
as they walk. A man of ambition, energy and hope will walk rap- 
idly, briskly, and take long steps. 

The man who has much firmness and precision in his character 
will have just that kind of a walk. 

Those who have an easy, graceful walk, will do things in like 
manner ; while those who seem to make an effort to walk, work and 
labor as if it were a task. 

Beware of persons who, when viewed from behind, have a sort 
of mean, shuffling, secretive kind of walk. They move along as 
though they were afraid to use their legs. 

Those who step heavily on the heel generally have much solidity 
and firmness of character. Those who walk tip-toe fashion have 
rooms to rent in the upper story. 

Those who walk very lightly may have a light, mirthful, senti- 
mental kind of character, or possess secretiveness or cautiousness, 
or all combined. 

A person who is overflowing with conceit, egotism and vanity, 
will not only show it in the face and eyes, but in the dignified, self- 
complacent, pompous, I-don't-care kind of walk. The head will 
also be erect or slightly elevated. A man who is brim-full of busi- 
ness, walks in a hurried and somewhat excited manner; while one 
who has made a fortune and retired, walks along cool, easy, leisurely 
and indifferent. 

Large self-esteem and firmness will not only cause their pos- 
sessor to walk erect and stand straight, but also to sit erect, 
scarcely bending the body in any position. 

Sitting or lounging in a careless manner generally denotes defi- 
cient self-esteem. 

Persons who have a restless, craving, passionate nature, are 
never contented unless witnessing or taking part in something 



1 




The Roman nose; generalship, long-headed, far-seeing; combative; great force of 
mind; argumentive, opposing, resisting, conquering and subduing. Observe the convex 
shape, which is always indicative of a combative spirit in some form. 




The Celestial or Baby nose; mild, docile and amiable disposition; likewise indicative 
of female character. The opposite of the Roman nose. Observe its concave shape. 



6o 

exciting, such as gambling, horse-racing, or any of the sporting 
games, attending some sensational play or fashionable ball — will 
indulge in stimulants of some kind, such as wines, liquor and to- 
bacco. A woman who chews gum and has little ambition for any- 
thing else than to dress and attend fashionable, showy places of 
amusement, and visit drinking restaurants, has generally the same 
elements of character; and if she conveniently could, would go 
anywhere and everywhere that a man does. The common habit of 
picking the teeth indicates a sort of craving, uneasy nature, one 
fond of some kind of excitement. The constant practice of many, 
in picking their teeth for half an hour after eating, and even be- 
tween meals, and swallowing all the corrupt matter, is just about as 
dirty and irritating a practice as picking one's nose. Tooth-pick- 
ing, gum-chewing, tobacco-chewing, and even smoking, are all 
exciting and injurious habits. No one of them beautify or lend- 
any charm to the face or character. 



1 



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